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A Novel Approach to Equitable Distribution of Scarce Therapeutics

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Emily Rubin, Scott L. Dryden-Peterson, Sarah P. Hammond, Inga Lennes, MD, Alyssa R. Letourneau, Parag Pathak, Tayfun Sonmez, and Utku Ünver

November 2021

In fall 2020, the Food and Drug Administration issued emergency use authorization for monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies for outpatients with COVID-19. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts issued guidance outlining the use of a reserve system with a lottery for allocation of mAbs in the event of scarcity that would prioritize socially vulnerable patients for 20% of the infusion slots. The Mass General Brigham health system subsequently implemented such a reserve system. The researchers ask: can a reserve system be deployed successfully in a large health system in a way that promotes equitable access to mAb therapy among socially vulnerable patients with COVID-19?